Leslee Gilbert

Leslee K. Gilbert has an extensive background in higher education, research, technology development, and politics.  She has nearly 12 years hands-on experience in the Washington policy-making process, and over 20 years of experience working in and with institutions of higher education.  She uses her insider’s understanding of academia and government policy to help her clients navigate the changing world of Washington.

As a Vice President at VSA, Leslee focuses on federal research, development, and competitiveness.  In addition to helping clients navigate Congressional policy making, she has developed a research and development consulting practice focused on federal agencies.  Through partnerships with former officials from several key agencies, she assembles teams of experts to meet clients’ unique needs.  By coordinating and managing these teams, Leslee helps clients identify federal funding trends across multiple agencies and maximize their comparative advantages. 

Before joining VSA, Leslee was Staff Director and Counsel of the House of Representatives’ Science, Space, and Technology Committee, the primary committee for overseeing non-defense research and development in agencies such as NSF, NASA, NIST, NOAA, EPA, and the Departments of Energy, Homeland Security, and Transportation. She played a central role in developing and implementing Federal science, technology, and civil space policy, including NASA reauthorization bills, the Energy Independence and Security Act, and America COMPETES.    

Prior to coming to Washington, Leslee was an Assistant Professor at St. Mary’s University in Minnesota, where she also served as a faculty officer.  She has published a variety of articles for academic and general audiences.  She holds a B.A. from Texas A&M University, an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, and a J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American University.  She is a member of the Maryland Bar.